How to Fix The ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS Error

Caught in a never-ending loop? Every time you find yourself bouncing between the same places without ever reaching your destination? You are, unfortunately, stuck in the ERR TOO MANY REDIRECTS error loop.

It is like being stuck in a digital maze where every turn sends you back to the start. This pesky issue can frustrate users, harm your SEO, and scare away traffic. In this piece, we are gonna learn how to break free from this loop and get your website back on track!

Understanding the ERR TOO MANY REDIRECTS Error

The ERR TOO MANY REDIRECTS error pops up when a browser finds itself caught in a redirection loop, repeatedly sent from one URL to another without reaching a landing destination. And it’s more common than you think—over 66.5% of websites have broken redirects, with redirect loops being a major culprit.

Source: Kinsta

Common Causes

There are a few configuration issues that may lead to a redirection loop:

• Misconfigured Redirects: If the redirects set in the  .htaccess file, nginx configuration, or CMS settings are improper, it may throw the browser into an unending loop. This is far too common during website migrations.
• Conflicting Plugins: If website plugins or extensions that manage redirects conflict with one another, they might form a loop.
• Incorrect URL Structures: URL structures might point to old URLs that redirect to new ones and vice versa, creating a redirection loop.
• SSL/TLS Configuration Issues: Misconfigurations in SSL/TLS settings, particularly when switching between HTTP and HTTPS, can trigger infinite redirects.
• Server-side Problems: Server misconfigurations like incorrect domain pointing can cause this error. As can server-side caching issues.

Impact

The impact of persisting ERR TOO MANY REDIRECTS errors can be severe:

• Access Denial: Users can get frustrated when unable to access a website repeatedly.
• SEO Penalties: Search engines penalize this kind of error, dropping a website’s search rankings and lowering its visibility.
• Increased Bounce Rates: Users will immediately leave the website after facing this error, decreasing engagement.
• Traffic Loss: Persistent redirection issues will inevitably drive away traffic from one website to its competitors.
• Reputation Damage: It will also harm the website’s credibility and reputation and affect customer trust and loyalty.

Diagnosing the Error

The next most obvious question to you might be, “How to FIX ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS“? For that, you must first get down to the bottom of why you are facing this error. There are a few ways to do this.

Using Browser Tools to Identify the Error

Your humble browser can help you pinpoint the problem:

• Start with clearing the cache and cookies. They might sneakily be causing this issue with outdated data.
• Using the “Inspect” tool, check network activity and look for the specifics of the redirects.
• The “Network” tab will show all HTTP requests and responses. Use this to trace the redirection path. Identify HTTP status codes (301, 302) in the logs that are part of the redirection process to trace the loop.
• Make sure to check the “Console” tab for any detailed error messages.
• Try out extensions like Redirect Path for Chrome or HTTP Headers for Firefox to track the exact redirect chains and narrow down the error source.

Source: Freepik

Tools and Plugins for Diagnosing Redirection Issues

There are also quite a few excellent tools available:

• Redirect Path: A browser extension highlighting HTTP status codes.
• Screaming Frog SEO Spider: A crawler checking for redirect chains.
• Yoast SEO: Manages and diagnoses WordPress redirect issues.
• Redirection Plugin: Manages and logs WordPress redirects.
• HTTPstatus.io/Redirect-checker.org: Tests URLs for redirect chains.
• Loggly/Splunk: Aggregates and analyses logs easily.

How to Fix ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS

It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every time you wonder how to FIX_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS, the answer will change depending on what caused the issue. So, we must discuss all the different causes and how to solve each of them individually.

1. Incorrect URL Settings

Incorrect URLs or homepage settings in your CMS might cause redirection loops.

Solution

1. Verify that the site URL and homepage URL match the desired domain and they do not have any typos or trailing slashes.
2. If you find an issue, make sure you fix it sitewide and not just in one part of the code or setting.
3. Use canonical URLs, which are preferred by search engine indexing.

2. Faulty Redirect Rules

Incorrect settings in .htaccess or nginx files or mistakes in redirect syntax or logic can cause loops.

Solution

1. Check the .htaccess or nginx files and check for any circular redirects or conflicting rules.
2. Use precise redirect rules. Generic rules can lead to loops.
3. Use tools like `curl` or any other online redirect to check to confirm the issue is fixed.

3. Conflicting Plugins or Extensions

Multiple plugins handling the same redirects lead to conflict, which in turn can cause loops.

Solution

1. Disable all plugins and enable one at a time to find the offending plugin.
2. Once identified, configure the plugin to avoid overlapping redirects.
3. Try to consolidate multiple plugins into one to avoid the issue altogether.

4. Misconfigured SSL/TLS Settings

Incorrectly setting up HTTP to HTTPS redirects and other issues in SSL/TLS configuration can cause loops as well.

Solution

1. Check if the SSL/TLS certificate is configured correctly and hasn’t expired.
2. Set up HTTP to HTTPS redirects correctly in the .htaccess or nginx configuration files.
3. Tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test can help.

5. Content Delivery Network (CDN) Issues

Conflicting CDN and server redirect rules can cause loops, too.

Solution

1. Check if the CDN is correctly pointing to the server’s domain.
2. Clear the cache to ensure it’s not just a remnant issue.
3. Configure your server to not conflict with the CDN.

The Great Escape

Source: Freepik

Now that you know how to fix ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS, you can finally escape the redirect maze. On your path to a smooth-running website, remember the key is to not fall into the loop in the first place. How do you do that? Its three simple steps:

Step 1: Update frequently.

Step 2: Do regular health checks.

Step 3: Test drive thoroughly before launching new features.

Maintenance is key. And for that, you need a skilled hand. At Vodien, our expert tech support team is ready to keep your website running smoothly and efficiently. Contact us today to ensure your site stays in top shape with proactive maintenance and support!